TOW #15- Stiff

Stiff, a book published in 2003 and written by Mary Roach, explores the many important uses of cadavers. The goal of her writing is to make it well know that cadavers are not monsters to be afraid of, but scientific specimens that aid the betterment of human life. Throughout the book, Roach utilizes a combination of imagery and analogies in order to help her audience imagine a normally incomprehensible subject. For example, in the fifth chapter, she states that “The heads have been put in roasting pans—which are of the disposable aluminum variety—for the same reason chickens ae put in roasting pans: to catch the drippings”, “You could be looking at rows of old men reclining in barber chairs with hot towels on their faces”, and that, contrary to Roach’s original thought, the stumps are not “cleanly sliced, like the edge of deli ham”. These comparisons successfully describe the atmosphere of the labs and exactly what someone would see upon walking into one. Roach’s purpose in doing this was to recreate her experiences for her readers. This is imperative in a book like Stiff because the majority of people, especially those reading this book, do not have much experience with dead bodies. Thus, in comparing such a seemingly unrealistic scenario to everyday objects, like aluminum roasting pans, barber shops, and deli ham, makes the setting much more alive and true. Imagery, by definition, is meant to paint a picture in the readers’ heads, and Roach is additionally effective in using this device. The everyday items used to compare not only make the scene more realistic, but make it easier for the audience to picture. Naming tools such as scalpels and forceps would not have been wise in a book with the purpose of informing and teaching; therefore, the diction and descriptions used by Roach in this area successfully appeal to her purpose and audience.